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I disagree. I think Barnett is safer than Key but if Key fills out then his upside is much higher than Barnett's. I think the only thing we can say for sure is that this will be a loaded class on the DL, especially DE.

Barnett doesn't have as many IF's imo. He is thicker and just as good a athlete plus he is a instate kid. Key will take longer to physically develop while Barnett is ready much sooner.

Our 2015 recruiting had quite a bit of momentum with all the early commits, but it seems we've hit the brakes and put it in reverse as of late. At one point our class was at #4 nationally if I recall on 247 but now we're down to 14. I did notice that some of the classes above us were just higher bc of having more commits albeit lower rated ones. I guess I just want us to pull in a top ten class this year since we are no longer under sanctions and the loss of Rivers bugs me. I do realize its extremely early in this cycle though.

Seems reasonable that we could just focus on Blackshear and getting Key back committed for DE. We brought in a solid haul at DE this year with McClain, Wideman, Sawyer, Ritchie, and Thomas. Even though McClain and Wideman could grow into DTs.

I think Blackshear and Key would be an excellent haul at DE. Not saying we shouldn't keep pushing for Rivers but it looks like it is a done deal to UGA. He said it was his dream school.

__________________
"Yeah, Clemson can beat Virginia Tech as many times as they want, but ask them if they want another piece of South Carolina." - Colin Cowherd

Which DE's from '14 and from this current class are expected to grow into DT's? That seems to probably be a determining factor as to how many we take, and also might be the difference in landing a bunch of quality ones in back to back years. If there's one thing our coaches have shown, it's that they get guys that can contribute on the field in a position to contribute (see moving DE's around to attack the QB)...that is, as long as it's not at the TE spot :)

I do have a bit of bad news...it's been confirmed that Georgia is going to a 4-3 this season and they are preparing to convert some of their OLB to DE. This is not going to help us recruiting in Georgia going forward because they will be recruiting the same players as us.

I do have a bit of bad news...it's been confirmed that Georgia is going to a 4-3 this season and they are preparing to convert some of their OLB to DE. This is not going to help us recruiting in Georgia going forward because they will be recruiting the same players as us.

Gotta compete in the SECCG next year or we'll lose our window. It'll begin to close soon if we can't capitalize.

Can a mod please open up Michael Barnett thread. He's no longer committed to VA Tech.
I want to talk about this dude.

__________________"I think maybe we should just sit here quietly now and not say anything, and let you just kinda contemplate on the news I just dropped on you, and let me just kinda contemplate on my own pain and sorrows right now."

I do have a bit of bad news...it's been confirmed that Georgia is going to a 4-3 this season and they are preparing to convert some of their OLB to DE. This is not going to help us recruiting in Georgia going forward because they will be recruiting the same players as us.

I wouldn't worry about the long-term. If Pruitt has a good year as DC, he'll be the next hot candidate for any decent HC job openings and I'll bet he'll be gone in a blink. If he doesn't have a good year, that's obviously good for us as well. Win-win.

He has good size, and is appraently a good player, I was wondering why we haven't seemed to be in the picture with him.

Seems like we would've at least been pushing, unless he either is determined to leave the state or has other issues that scared us off.

Anyone have some insight?

The staff thought Rivers was pretty solid. Add in Blackshear and a very likely recommit from Key and they were done at DE. Basically it doesn't sound like they had any reservations on Barnett, but just thought they were full and didn't want to offer an in-state player at a full position.
It does seem Ward had barely got off the phone with Rivers (when he decommitted) before he offered Barnett. Sounds like they will go hard after him but that they have lots of ground to make up on his leaders.

Which DE's from '14 and from this current class are expected to grow into DT's? That seems to probably be a determining factor as to how many we take, and also might be the difference in landing a bunch of quality ones in back to back years. If there's one thing our coaches have shown, it's that they get guys that can contribute on the field in a position to contribute (see moving DE's around to attack the QB)...that is, as long as it's not at the TE spot :)

Wideman an McClain from the 14' class could grow into DTs.

Also RS freshmen Johnson and Turner could grow into DTs

__________________
"Yeah, Clemson can beat Virginia Tech as many times as they want, but ask them if they want another piece of South Carolina." - Colin Cowherd

I do have a bit of bad news...it's been confirmed that Georgia is going to a 4-3 this season and they are preparing to convert some of their OLB to DE. This is not going to help us recruiting in Georgia going forward because they will be recruiting the same players as us.

Which is why losing Rivers is big. It shows that UGA switching defensive schemes is going to greatly influence those recruits.